Source: Wilfred Henry Alburn and Miriam Russell Alburn
Submitted by Robert Kingrey
A man of versatile talents and a forceful personality, Carmi A. Thompson has achieved distinction in varied walks of life. Before coming to Cleveland in 1917 he had figured conspicuously in state and national affairs, also winning success in the legal profession and in the field of business, and is now chairman of the board of the International-Stacey Corporation, a ten-million-dollar concern.
Mr. Thompson was born in Wayne County, W. VA., in September 1870, a son of Granville and Mary E. (Polley) Thompson, and obtained his higher education at Ohio State University, which awarded him the Bachelor of Philosophy degree in 1892 and the Bachelor of Laws in 1895.
Admitted to the bar in the latter year, he chose Ironton, Ohio, as the scene of his professional activities and while practicing there organized the Iron City Bank, becoming one of its directors as well as an attorney for the institution. He was also made a director of the Central National Bank and chairman of the board of the Continental Stove Company of Ironton, Ohio.
With an enviable record of public service, Mr. Thompson reentered business life, becoming general manager of the Great Northern Iron Ore Properties, a James J. Hill interest, president of the Cottonwood Coal Company, and also the administrative head of the South Butte Mining Company of St. Paul.
In 1917 he came to Cleveland as president of the Tod-Stambaugh Company. Following his removal to Forest City, he became chairman of the board of the Midland Steamship Company and recently was made chairman of the board of the International-Stacey Company, created by the merger of the International Derrick & Equipment Company of Columbus and the Stacey Engineering Company of Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania.
With keen insight into business affairs, Mr. Thompson combines the executive ability of high order and his name has been a valuable asset to the various commercial and financial organizations, which he has represented, serving as a guarantee of their soundness and stability. In 1925 he organized the law firm of Thompson and Smith and they have successfully handled much important litigation.
On May 3, 1899, Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Leila H. Ellars, of Bement, Ill., and they became the parents of a daughter, Gladys, now the wife of E.L. Holmes, and the mother of three children, Thalia, Carmi, and Christopher R.
There is an interesting military chapter in the life record of Mr. Thompson, who saw active duty in the Spanish-American War as captain of Company I, Seventieth Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
In 1921 he was a member of the advisory committee to the American Delegation at the conference for limitation of armament in Washington, and in 1926 he was appointed by President Coolidge to the office of the special commissioner, in which connection he made a survey of the economic and internal conditions in the Philippines.
In 1931 he was selected as a member of the Ohio building commission for the erection of a state office building and has conscientiously and acceptably fulfilled every trust reposed in him, whether of a public or a private nature. His political support is given to the Republican Party, and his fraternal affiliations are with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias.
He belongs to the Union Club of Cleveland, the Columbus Club of Columbus, Ohio, the University and National Press Clubs of Washington, and the Minnesota Club of St.Paul, Minnesota.
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